5K Run at Twin Valley to benefit Music Boosters

On April 20 the Twin Valley High School will be the site for the first ever Keeping the Beat 5K and Kids Fun Run, an event being held to benefit the Twin Valley Music Boosters, a non-profit organization that supports the school district’s music programs.

The event was created by Twin Valley parents Jen Tennant and Vanessa Buttery, who are both runners that have children in the district’s music programs.

“As moms we wanted to do something to help the kids in the music program,” said Tennant, who first thought of the idea after hearing that the school’s music programs were facing cutbacks.

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Tennant said that the Twin Valley Music Boosters supports students throughout the district through actions that include funding assistance for the purchase of supplies and electronics, funding for music classrooms and auditorium updates, subsidizing music activities for those students who cannot afford to participate, providing music clinics, and annual college scholarships.

“I am a mom of five and Vanessa is a mom of four, so it is hard for us to participate as members of the boosters club, so we decided that we would do something at home with our talents for our community.”

Tennant began planning the 5K over a year ago, and she also formed a Keeping the Beat 5K Committee by reaching out to members of the Morgantown Mommies Facebook group.

The 5K is a rain or shine event, with race registration beginning at 8 a.m. and the race starting at 9 a.m. The start and finish lines for the race will be on the TVHS track, with the bulk of the race route being the school’s cross country trail. There will be prizes for the top overall male and female runners, and for the top male and female age group winners. The Kids Fun Run will take place on the track at approximately 9:45, following the presentation of the 5K awards.

There will also be vendors’ tables, snack stands, and activities for kids such as such as face painting.

The entry fee for the race is $25 the day of the race (check only), or $20 with pre-registration by April 3. A copy of the registration form can be downloaded at www.scribd.com/doc/130166970/5-k-Registration-Form or picked up locally at the Honey Brook Community Library, The Village Library of Morgantown, Twin Valley Family Fitness, or Weaver’s Orchard. Registration for the Kids Fun Run is $2, or $12 for the race plus a special Keeping the Beat t-shirt. All pre-registered 5K participants will receive a t-shirt, and extras will be available on race day on a first come, first served basis.

In terms of logistics, the 5K will be overseen by Reading’s Pretzel City Sports, which will monitor race timing and also assist Tennant and the race committee through event promotion and consultation.

“They are a great resource,” Tennant said, “they hold several races every week and they advertised our 5K at those other races. They also gave us useful hints to help with putting on the race.”

Race sponsorships are available for those who wish to support the 5K and the Music Boosters. There are levels of sponsorship ranging from $500 to $25, and refreshment donations are being accepted in exchange for advertisement. For more information on making a donation contact Jennifer Tennant at jbtennant88@gmail.com or 610-850-5240 (or view a sponsorship form online at http://www.scribd.com/doc/130168005/5K-Sponsorship-Level-Information).

Tennant said that volunteers are being sought for the 5K.

“On race day there is a lot that goes on, and we are looking for about 12 volunteers to help us out. We would place our volunteers at our first aid tent or water station, have them help organize the kids for the Fun Run, and help set up and break down equipment before and after the race.”

She added that the Twin Valley High School Honors Music Society, Tri-M, will be volunteering to help on race day.

The Keeping the Beat 5K logo, which appears on the shirts and promotion material, was chosen from a recent district-wide logo design contest that was won by TV senior Logan Hanning. Hanning’s logo was picked from over 150 entries. Tennant said that many of the other entries will appear on the day of the race as posters along the trail.

For more information on the race, volunteering, and sponsorships, contact Jennifer Tennant by email at jbtennant88@gmail.com or by phone at 610-850-5240. There is also a Facebook page for the race - www.facebook.com/TwinValleyKeepingTheBeat5k - where updates and additional information can be found.

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